Prince William County Police say the boy found the gun inside of a car near a home in the 14800 block of Empire St. near Darbydale Ave. around 4 p.m. At some point the gun went off and the boy was struck in the head by a bullet.

A family member rushed outside and immediately called police.

The boy was rushed to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head where he was later pronounced dead.

Authorities believe the the wound was accidentally self-inflicted.

Police said their initial investigation points to the incident being a tragedy. A full investigation will be conducted at which point a determination will be made about what charges, if any, will be filed in the case.

“It was an oversight by the parents,” said a resident in the largely Spanish-speaking neighborhood. “A 4-year-old boy so young needs to be watched over.”

The child’s identity is being withheld until next of kin can be notified.